Opioid prescriptions reduced by one-third in 43 hospitals

ANN ARBOR, Mich., U.S.: There is a new level of awareness in the U.S. about the opioid crisis and now more physicians are starting to respond with action. In a recent research letter, a team of doctors have shown how hospitals throughout Michigan have reduced the quantity of opioids prescribed to thousands of patients. Results showed that there were no signs of a decrease in patient satisfaction or a decline in pain management.

As reported by Dental Tribune International, a recent study found that U.S. dentists prescribe up to 30% more opioids than their English colleagues do. The researchers who conducted the study were seriously concerned about this disparity and were of the opinion that opioid prescribing practices in the U.S. warranted a second look.

According to the latest study, 43 hospitals took part in actively reducing the prescription of opioids, managing to cut down the number of pills by one-third in a single year. “These results happened because of the work of many members of the care teams at these hospitals—surgeons, nurses, pharmacists and others all took it upon themselves to change their prescribing practices,” said lead author Dr. Joceline Vu, a general surgery resident at Michigan Medicine. “We hope that other hospital teams can learn from this effort, use the guidelines and patient education materials we’ve developed, and gather data on their current surgical opioid prescribing patterns and their own processes to achieve change.”

Founded in 2016, the Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network (Michigan OPEN) has been working to develop a preventive approach to the opioid epidemic in the state of Michigan. Through this initiative, researchers have developed evidence-based opioid prescribing guidelines that were first tested on gallbladder surgery patients at Michigan Medicine, before being expanded to other types of surgery.

Co-director of Michigan OPEN and University of Michigan surgery professor Dr. Michael Englesbe noted that the success of the project offers an opportunity for other states to follow suit and achieve even greater reductions in opioid prescription levels.

Dr. Richard J. Sherwood is Professor of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences and Vice Chair of Research at the University of Missouri School of Medicine. In an interview with Dental Tribune International, he explained how his new research shows that tooth development occurs much earlier than previously thought. The results of the study set new standards of reference in dental development and could provide dentists with an opportunity to improve evidence-based decisions.

LOS ANGELES, U.S./SICHUAN, China: Though genetic research has become increasingly relevant in the fields of medicine and biology, it has remained relatively untouched when it comes to dentistry. In a promising development, researchers have found that epigenetic regulation—the study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression—can control root patterning and development in teeth, potentially leading someday to the regeneration of teeth.

NEW YORK, U.S.: It is estimated that globally about one billion tubes of toothpaste find their way into landfill annually. In an exciting move to curb this and to commit to a more eco-friendly business model, Colgate-Palmolive has announced that the design of the world’s first recyclable toothpaste tube has been finalized and that the company hopes to convert all of its tube packaging to recyclables by 2025.

NEW YORK. U.S.: Minimally invasive dentistry has well and truly become a mainstream idea, and dental professionals around the world are dedicating countless hours to developing new techniques and methods in the field. In a free Dental Tribune Study Club webinar on Monday, June 24, an expert will be discussing a new approach to enhancing the periimplant soft tissue in the anterior zone.